If you’ve ever wished you could skip the overpriced hotel room or the sterile vacation rental and instead live like a local for your next trip—this one's for you.
I recently sat down with Emmanuel Arnaud, the CEO of HomeExchange, on Mixtape Travels, and we had a lively, honest conversation about how home swapping is changing the way we travel—for the better.
Emmanuel founded the platform GuestToGuest in 2011 after a frustrating attempt to find a swap in Florence. That "why doesn’t this exist?" moment led him to launch a points-based system that eventually led him to acquire HomeExchange in 2017.
Today, HomeExchange is the largest home swapping platform in the world with over 220,000+ members in 155 countries, with more than 460,000 exchanges finalized in 2024.
🎧 Click on the above link to listen to the interview or listen on “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Here are some highlights from our conversation:
💡 The Idea Sparked by a Rejected Trip to Florence
Back in 2010, Emmanuel and his wife tried to swap homes for a short trip to Florence. No takers. The problem? No one in Florence wanted to come to Paris (hard to believe, right?). That mismatch got Emmanuel thinking: what if you didn’t have to do a direct swap? What if you could earn points for hosting and use those later, anywhere?
A year later, GuestToGuest was born—and that points-based idea now powers 70% of exchanges on HomeExchange today.
🏡 How It Works (And Why It Works So Well)
You list your home on the platform and it’s assigned a GuestPoint value based on size, location, and amenities. You earn points by hosting and spend them when you travel. It’s flexible, budget-friendly, and perfect for people whose vacation calendars don’t line up with others.
Emmanuel put it best: “Rather than having my house sit idle, I’d rather have someone stay there, water the plants, and earn points I can use for a future trip.” Yes, please.
🌍 A Global Community Based on Trust and Hospitality
HomeExchange now has over 200,000 members in 155 countries, with over 600,000 exchanges expected this year. It's not just a platform—it's a community. People leave thank-you notes, small gifts, and personal recommendations. "Strangers become friends," Emmanuel said, and I couldn't agree more.
Hospitality is a universal language. In Emmanuel's words: "Whether you're in Japan, India, or the U.S., we all teach our kids to treat guests kindly."
Pssst. Don't miss my interview with family travel expert Rebecca Ryell, where she shares her incredible family travels around the world using HomeExchange.
💸 The Best Travel Hack You’ve Never Tried
For just $235 per year, you get unlimited exchanges. That's it. There are no nightly fees. No unexpected add-ons. No additional money is exchanged. Sounds too good to be true, right?! Think of all the places you visit in just one year! And if you're traveling with kids (and especially teens who want their own space), this is a total game-changer.
🤔 Need proof? Read about how this family saved $2,300 on a trip to Disney World using HomeExchange. And learn how this family of 5 spent an entire summer in Europe using HomeExchange. Incredible!
✨ Real People, Real Homes, Real Connection
Unlike vacation rentals, HomeExchange homes feel personal—because they are. People decorate with their own art. They leave handwritten notes. They tell you where to get the best croissant or the best tacos. It's warm, human, and authentic—three things that are often missing from modern travel.
🔐 But What About Safety and Trust?
This is where HomeExchange shines. The platform offers:
Up to $1 million property guarantee
A 24/7 support team
Verified profiles
Reviews and ratings
Cancellation protection (they’ll even book you a hotel if needed!)
And if you’re nervous? Emmanuel says that’s normal. “Some people start out locking valuables in a closet. Others make a phone call and feel totally at ease. Everyone builds trust in their own way.”
📅 Not Just for Europe or Summer Vacations
Most U.S.-based HomeExchangers actually swap within the U.S. Emmanuel recommends starting small—like a weekend away a few hours from home—to get your feet wet. (My first swap was in Lake Tahoe and it was magic!)
❤️ His Favorite Exchange?
It’s not the fanciest one, but it stuck with him: a family from Spain stayed in his Paris apartment and left a heartfelt note saying it was their kids’ best vacation ever. Homemade jam, a thank-you book, and a warm message sealed the deal. “It made me feel like a good person,” Emmanuel said.
🌱 A More Sustainable Future for Travel
As cities push back against short-term rentals that displace locals, HomeExchange offers a powerful alternative. You're using homes that already exist. No new construction. No ghost neighborhoods. Just people making better use of what they already have—while creating incredible memories.
Meet Emmanuel Arnaud
Emmanuel Arnaud is the CEO of HomeExchange. A graduate of HEC Paris and the Harvard Kennedy School, he has combined his passion for sustainable development with his passion for traveling to revolutionize the home exchange market. Arnaud founded GuesttoGuest in 2011. In 2017, GuesttoGuest acquired U.S.-based HomeExchange, creating a world leader in the home swapping market. Solidly anchored in the sharing economy, HomeExchange is a promising alternative to traditional hospitality markets, ensuring that peer-to-peer transactions become ever-more mainstream.
Arnaud is a sharing economy insider with management, entrepreneurship, start-up and leadership expertise. He is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at travel, technology and other events around the world. He is the recipient of Echo Touristique’s “Person of the Year 2017” trophy for innovation.
🔮 The Future of HomeExchange
Emmanuel’s vision? Growth. More members, more matches, more meaningful travel experiences. And as the middle class grows around the world, he hopes HomeExchange can help meet demand without paving paradise.
If you’ve been curious about trying HomeExchange, now’s the time to try it. It’s affordable, rewarding, and just maybe the smartest (and kindest) way to travel. I am a very happy member (if you decide to join, my referral code is: shannon-6f3ec) and have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences so far staying in Lake Tahoe, Mexico City, and later this year, in the Canadian Rockies.
So, move over Airbnb and VRBO - it’s all the sharing economy and exchanging homes to travel around the U.S. and world. And if you still aren’t convinced, check out this CNN Travel article on swapping homes with strangers instead of using Airbnb or hotels.
Happy exchanging and travels! 🏠🌎
If you enjoyed this post, please give it a quick ❤️to help others discover it or please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear if you’ve ever swapped homes to travel, or would consider doing so in the near future!
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With much gratitude,
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